What a whirlwind! The last whirlwind like that I remember was…
well actually every show has been a whirlwind of some kind. This last #ORShow in SLC was truly memorable, though, and I was able to take a leadership role in bringing #PublicLands Policy and Diversity in Outdoors to the fore. So much happened that I’ll need to break this into two posts to avoid information overload.
Our gathering and march to the UT Capitol was a coming together of 2000 industry advocates to make a statement about #publiclands and really to thank SLC and UT for 21 years of remarkable partnership and responsiveness. The word of the day, and of the show in general, was ‘Bittersweet’.
THE MARCH – rumblings of a march to the capitol started late in 2016, as the reality of dissolved resolve to protect Bears Ears’ NM (and all NM’s) became clear. Happily the OIA and the OR Team got the message and took ownership of the groundswell and turned it from a #Resist Protest into a ‘thank you’ affair to SLC and UT mostly. Very classy approach, if not truly reflective of the urgent need to bombard lawmakers with the bipartisan message ‘KEEP YOUR TINY HANDS OFF OUR PUBLIC LANDS‘ (the loudest chant resonating through the march; I didn’t make it up!).
industry march on UT Capitol July 28, 2017
The one good dig on Utah during the March for Public Lands was from Ute tribal leader Shaun Chapoose… he respectfully asked the question, ‘When Did Utah Own It?“.
It was a super active show for me and my growing brand (Kenji Consults) as evidenced by these engagements at the show featuring my work and commitment to core industry growth pillars. I was able to rep for authentic content development/marketing, public lands access, diversifying our workforce and consumer appeal, and bringing disparate industry groups together to learn and lean into the digital future.
Feature article in Outdoor Retailer Magazine – ‘The Storm And The Aftermath‘ – Where were YOU when the tornado hit on Aug. 11, 1999?
Panel Slot- the Public Lands Action Center (thanks Katie Boué!) and coverage on page 7 of next day’s OR Daily (My mug shot next to Caroline Gleich, superskier and supermodel, and Katie, who is also young/vivacious… thanks, ORD team).
Panel seat in the Trend & Design Center, ‘How To Define Innovation’ in 2017′. This covered a lot of ground for a packed house of design community minds. Innovation in the design phase powers innovation to the end consumer, and during my time with OR I worked hard to bring value to this undertold story of the industry (the raw material ingredients of outdoor gear).
OR Daily Day 4 (page 7 again) featuring Alex Honnold also featured my comments on public lands next to the superstar’s doe-eyed and sport-coated pic. Yes, rumors of my free solo of the Rayburn Bldg. steps with #Honnold are true… no gear at all, not even chalk. ♥
Podcast live – My longtime friend Rick Saez has started the Outdoor Biz Podcast recently, and I got to be episode #19, recorded live from the show floor! Give it a listen here.
Livestream – 50 Campfires featured a Facebook livestream interview with me (and my Traveler Guitar, even)
Outdoor Blogger Summit 2017 – Who wants to talk to 150 outdoor content-makers from around the country in one place over one weekend, and share best practices for SEO/digital marketing in 2018? Well, I do. I’m helping with Biz Dev too, so let me know if you want to attend, sponsor, activate, gamify or have a different engagement idea for OBS17 (I have discount codes!)
OBS Promo- Why Attend Publish from Blogs For Brands on Vimeo.
Stay tuned for Part II of ‘The Last Waltz in SLC’
KH
